Hi my name is Lenny Schwartz and I am a playwright from RI and from NYC.
Well enough about me, let’s talk about comic books!
Usagi Yojimbo #153
Written and Illustrated by Stan Sakai
Published by Dark Horse Comics
Man, I love Usagi Yojimbo. Stan Sakai is one of the few creators around who still writes and draws(and even letters!) his books month after month. His character, Usagi Yojimbo has been around for over 30 years and it never fails to entertain. His character Usagi is a samurai bunny rabbit. But the stories he tells with Usagi are deceptively complex blending character with history and amazing storytelling.
The latest issue of this tale is about the following: In his effort to save a village, Usagi’s fate takes a turn when he must defend a kappa—a supernatural creature that would normally be his enemy—from an even deadlier threat: a renegade of its own species! The trail leads him to the monster’s lair with his only weapons: two swords and some cucumbers.
Sakai is still a creator at the top of his game. Action scenes, quiet moments…Sakai is master of them all. You would think after 30 years with the same character a creator might become jaded or phone it in. Not the case here. In fact, while he is a master of the form, he seems to be breaking new ground with each story. The comic book is a good read month in and month out.
When my dad passed a few years back, I had an opportunity to read the whole saga up to date . It was breathtaking. Amazing. Yet the best part? You always knew the best was yet to come. And it still is.
RATING: A
True Patriot: Volume One
Written and Illustrated by various
Published by Chapterhouse Comics
Well, here is the latest in the “Kickstarter” comics trend…another anthology book. And this is another quality production from Chapterhouse Comics! But is it any good? Well, it’s decent enough. But it really goes from great comics to absolute crap extremely quickly.
True Patriot is a Canadian superhero anthology. Some good stories are within: J. Torres and Tom Fowler are the standouts along with Faith Erin Hicks. The rest are either too cartoony or too generic to amount to much. I found myself bored and wishing some stories would just end… And these were short stories!!
There’s nothing worse than bad lettering either…and these are lettered pretty poorly. I wish it had something more to it…but the attempt was well meaning.
I’m giving this one a C maybe a C + There are potential in the stories presented here and potential with this style anthology…we’ve seen it with Torres, Fowler and Faith Erin Hicks…now it’s time for the rest of them to follow suit.
RATING: C+
Karnak #1 & #2
Written by Warren Ellis and Illustrated by Gerardo Zaffino
Published by Marvel Comics
I’m just going to come out and say it: The more success Marvel Comics gets in the movies, the worse their comic book line has gotten. I used to pick up their line as a kid first as they had the best superheroes, the best stories. Over the years, this trend continued…some years better, some years not so much.
These days, Marvel is a desert. It went from being the House of Ideas to the Outhouse of Drudgery.
So why the hell would I pick up Karnak #1 and #2?
Simply put: Warren Ellis. The man does interesting work. And the art was by Gerardo Zaffino, son of the late great Jorge Zaffino. I’ll confess I didn’t know Jorge had actually passed on and had a son…he was a great artist who died young. I ignorantly thought this was him not his son when I got this. Rest In Peace, Jorge. You were amazing.
So how is this new book?
Well, it’s a book about the Inhuman Karnak. And it’s a slow burn. S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Phil Coulson calls up Karnak with a matter involving Inhumans. And Karnak takes the job. The rest is dark, and terribly dull. Ellis has a knack for making stories kind of strange and fun…this was is strange but not really fun. It’s just…there. I love his work on Trees and Moon Knight…and of course Transmetropolitan….but this just is flat.
A shame too because Zaffino’s art is compelling. He has the make up of a great artist…and this feels like it should be a knockout hit. It just isn’t. I hope it picks up but for right now I’m hoping Zaffino gets a better title that is a bit better than this.
Rating: C-
Action Comics #50
Written by Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder and Illustrated by Aaron Kuder
Published by DC Comics
Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder have had an interesting run on Action Comics from issue 25 until now; there’s been some fill-in for artists but it’s been decent. And this is their final issue together. And it’s been enjoyable enough.
This issue is described as thus: Clark battles his way through Vandal Savage’s hordes to reclaim what is rightfully his—the Fortress of Solitude and his birthright!
You kinda wish there was more to it all but Pak does a serviceable job writing and Kuder is a good artist. It’s all just decent. The biggest problem is that in less than six months, most will forget this run even existed. I wish it was a little more memorable…but for being what it is I’ll give it all the grade it deserves. With more passion it would have been an A.
Rating: B-
Star Wars #16
Written by Jason Aaron and Illustrated by Leinil Frances Yu
Published by Marvel Comics
Well this one is a hard one. Earlier I said that Marvel Comics is phoning it in with their line.
However, one bright spot has nothing to do with their characters, and that’s the Star Wars comic book.
Now I wasn’t a fan of the idea initially…the Dark Horse comic book line of Star Wars was amazing for many years. Titles like Dark Empire and Knights of the Old Republic were ingenious. There was no way the new Marvel comic could be as good. And it’s not. It is however a completely fun comic…not too deep and enjoyable. Not a bad thing. The current series takes place between Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back. It’s sometimes fun.
The latest storyline in Star Wars is called “Rebel Jail” and it ain’t half bad. Aaron is in love with the Star Wars universe and his story clearly shows that. The art by Yu is very good….however I was spoiled with this series by one of my favorite artists John Cassaday, doing the first six issues. Those were A plus comics. The ones following were solid Bs and B minuses, and the one drawn by Mike Mayhew (number 15) was great.
This issue is a B minus. I wish there were more of the thrill of the first few issues and of the Mayhew issue. But maybe it’ll pick up. I hope it does and I hope there is more of a vision in mind feather than just fun stories.
Rating: B-
BURIED TREASURE PICK
Mage: The Hero Discovered
Written and Illustrated by Matt Wagner
Originally published by Comico / Star Blaze Graphics
Currently in print from Image Comics
If you haven’t read Mage, shame on you, go order a copy right now and read it then come back. Matt Wagner’s seminal piece is sheer genius. Spend your money right and buy this.
Kevin Matchstick was a lonely, disaffected everyman until events beyond his control conspired to prod him into becoming the hero he never wanted to be. Accompanied by a mysterious wizard and a crew of loyal friends, the reluctant hero must discover the courage to accept his true power and defeat the dark powers that threaten reality itself.
This is based on the King Arthur legend sure, but don’t even think on it. Mage is Wagner at his most personal and it shows on every panel. I talk about passion in comics a lot on her, and this just oozes it. At once smart, funny, moving, and compelling. If you don’t own it, your collection sucks.
This is the first part of a trilogy and the second part has been released (it’s good, too). You are not a comic reader until you’ve read this. And that’s a fact. Part three will be released sometime in the future when Wagner stops torturing us(or himself…it is a personal project after all) As of now, we can only wait for the third part. And wonder what color magic will be this time around.
Rating: A
And that’s it for this week! Thank you all who have been reading! Until next week, I remain….
Lenny Schwartz
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